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If you know your HD TV to support 1080p (not 1080i), for best picture change Roku video output to 1080p in the settings, otherwise leave it be 720p. Most channels do the HD in 720p but a few (Netflix) go to 1080p.

I ordered from 1saleaday on December 23rd for the other deal (2 ROKU XS). It was shipped on December 26th, and I received it on January 03, 2013. I would do business with them again based on this order.

1saleaday took three weeks to ship my order. They refused to cancel the order, and gave me no shipping information until the shipment was already delivered. The customer support is non-existant. I'll never buy from them again.

-For what its worth, I've ordered from them many times and have never had an issue. I ordered a product on Amazon last week and today UPS delivered it. Amazons tracking info was incorrect and when I contacted Amazon they said my order had not shipped yet. Just like when you go out to dinner, sometimes the food & service is great, sometimes the food sucks or the service sucks and sometimes both.

329 Comments

Very much on the fence here. I would like to use this for a second TV in a home sports bar setup. Can anyone speak to the free sports options on this device? I looked on the Roku site, but it was vague at best, especially when trying to find out if things were free or not.

I would say the free sports options would be classified as non-existent. I've got several Rokus and been using them for a couple years now. I love them, but I have not seen any live sports options whatsoever. No real live TV or any kind really.

Does Plex update automatically for any new files that gets added to the PC. I've downloaded couple of new files to the same directory in the PC running Plex server. But the Plex channel in Roku doesn't seem to find the new files.

Mine libraries do automatically update in PLEX. But there is a setting in the Plex Media Manager for this. I'm sure it is turned on by default, but you can check there. If it's not checked, it won't update automatically.

All my rokus show up as bluetooth devices when I search on my phone. They cannot be paired or connected though.

Yeah, according to the specs on amazon, all Roku 2 devices have bluetooth built it, but its only enabled to worked with the Roku bluetooth remote. It would be awesome if they were able to change that with a firmware upgrade to allow bluetooth keyboards.

Yes, and most everyone is Plex media server for that. I personally think it works great. I set up a folder for kids movies and one for grown-ups. I also pointed the server to my photos folder. I was worried about the photos because its a huge folder with many, many subfolders. It took Plex quite a while to update that library, but its working pretty slick now.

Quote
from sdeals4ak
:

does this stream my desktop to my TV? Also does this have a browser?

doesn't stream your desktop to your TV like a Splashtop. But does stream movies, music, and pictures from your computer to your TV via Plex.
No browser.

Yes, and most everyone is Plex media server for that. I personally think it works great. I set up a folder for kids movies and one for grown-ups. I also pointed the server to my photos folder. I was worried about the photos because its a huge folder with many, many subfolders. It took Plex quite a while to update that library, but its working pretty slick now.

doesn't stream your desktop to your TV like a Splashtop. But does stream movies, music, and pictures from your computer to your TV via Plex.
No browser.

can this mirror my laptop if its not connected by hdmi? like airplay for an apple tv?

just bought this thanks selma.. I wanted to buy at costco ($75 out the door) but these units are not that worth spending. Just another gadget you want in your list. Also I warn, I bought the refurbished unit (XD) from TigerDirect last month FP, it was DOA and looks like pretty beated up unit. So I am afraid if I receive similar one now, dont know whats the "1saleaday" return policy. Tigerdirect was kind enogh to accept the return with return shipping label. Any comments?

just bought this thanks selma.. I wanted to buy at costco ($75 out the door) but these units are not that worth spending. Just another gadget you want in your list. Also I warn, I bought the refurbished unit (XD) from TigerDirect last month FP, it was DOA and looks like pretty beated up unit. So I am afraid if I receive similar one now, dont know whats the "1saleaday" return policy. Tigerdirect was kind enogh to accept the return with return shipping label. Any comments?

Never returned anything to 1SAD but I've heard it can be a nightmare. I've bought a handful of refurbed items from them, even one of these Roku XS, and they have all been like new condition.

Quote
from lantzuh
:

can this mirror my laptop if its not connected by hdmi? like airplay for an apple tv?

We cut cable almost exactly a year ago with one of these. We use this same model in our living room.

As others mentioned, I setup a PlayOn server and throw movies and TV Shows on that server, and stream them to the Roku player.

However, Streaming HD content over WIRELESS isn't all that great, it can be a bit choppy. But then again, its wireless. Its the connection speed, not necessarily the Roku's fault.

Just picked up a second one for the bedroom TV.

The drawback to "cutting the cord" I've found is really just the lack of "Live" TV Shows/sports. you want your buddies over to watch the NFL game Sunday afternoon? Sorry. Pick another friends house. And, that when you have company over (ie, Parents, friends, other people not familiar with Roku/streaming TV) you have to "teach" them how to use the system. They cant just flip on the TV and start "channel surfing" like they normally would. But for me, its worth saving the $50-$100/mo to the cable/sat company.

At that point why not just plug the HDMI cable from your computer to the tv and skip the middle man all together?

That would work great, if that's what you want to do. This is an alternative, with some pros and cons. Laptop connected is definitely more versatile.

but my laptop doesn't have HDMI, though I have connected it to the TV with VGA. Just way to cumbersome for what we want.

I'm married with three young kids and the wife would definitely be unhappy with a big old laptop and wireless keyboard sitting in the room. The roku is tiny, hidden behind the TV.

Also, the three young kids are perfectly able to pick up the Roku remote and find Netflix or Plex and watch their shows/movies. No need to connect anything or boot anything up. Just a convenience thing.

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